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Independent International Adoption - Four Things to Know
International adoption remains an increasingly popular alternative for hopeful parents despite its complexity. When considering international adoption you can either choose an agency-initiated path or independent adoption, where you handle the details yourselves. Here are four facts to keep in mind when considering if independent international adoption is right for you and your family.
1: You are on your own.
In an independent international adoption, the heavy lifting is the sole responsibility of the parents since there is no agency offering guidance or expertise. Interested parents need to request a home study from a licensed adoption agency or a local social worker. After this step, you would work independently to acquire the required documents in your home country (for the U.S., the Citizenship and Immigration Service or USCIS, formerly the INS) and for the foreign judicial system where you are seeking to adopt a child.
You will also need to find a lawyer or agency in that country that will connect you with a child and then take the trip to obtain responsibility for the child and the corresponding documentation for the adoption, passport, and visa.
2: You have to work across cultures.
If you are interested in independent international adoption, you must be patient and flexible when navigating the legal system of another country. You need to become familiar with the regulations for the governmental and adoption agencies involved in the process. The key is to be informed and research the countries you are considering and their adoption practices to determine the best match for you.
3: There are more risks involved.
When dealing with an adoption outside the United States, there are more unknown factors and therefore more prospective dangers. If you are not working directly with a recognized licensed agency then you may face the possibility of working with a local lawyer or missionary who will find you a child but not be able to obtain the necessary documents needed for the international adoption to be considered legal.
Other possible hazards include potential - although unintended - involvement in the illegal adoption market, the falsification of the child's medical and personal documents, a breach of the confidentiality of your medical and personal information, and the loss of money in an adoption scam.
4: The restrictions are tightening.
Many countries are keeping a closer watch on their international adoption policies. The result is that it has become harder to adopt a child abroad. In 2006, China was the most popular country for U.S. foreign adoptions. As a response to the increased interest, in May 2007, China imposed restrictive policies for the profile of potential adoptive families. The laws and regulations for independent international adoption are evolving so do your part to know what's current in the countries where you are considering adoption.
1: You are on your own.
In an independent international adoption, the heavy lifting is the sole responsibility of the parents since there is no agency offering guidance or expertise. Interested parents need to request a home study from a licensed adoption agency or a local social worker. After this step, you would work independently to acquire the required documents in your home country (for the U.S., the Citizenship and Immigration Service or USCIS, formerly the INS) and for the foreign judicial system where you are seeking to adopt a child.
You will also need to find a lawyer or agency in that country that will connect you with a child and then take the trip to obtain responsibility for the child and the corresponding documentation for the adoption, passport, and visa.
2: You have to work across cultures.
If you are interested in independent international adoption, you must be patient and flexible when navigating the legal system of another country. You need to become familiar with the regulations for the governmental and adoption agencies involved in the process. The key is to be informed and research the countries you are considering and their adoption practices to determine the best match for you.
3: There are more risks involved.
When dealing with an adoption outside the United States, there are more unknown factors and therefore more prospective dangers. If you are not working directly with a recognized licensed agency then you may face the possibility of working with a local lawyer or missionary who will find you a child but not be able to obtain the necessary documents needed for the international adoption to be considered legal.
Other possible hazards include potential - although unintended - involvement in the illegal adoption market, the falsification of the child's medical and personal documents, a breach of the confidentiality of your medical and personal information, and the loss of money in an adoption scam.
4: The restrictions are tightening.
Many countries are keeping a closer watch on their international adoption policies. The result is that it has become harder to adopt a child abroad. In 2006, China was the most popular country for U.S. foreign adoptions. As a response to the increased interest, in May 2007, China imposed restrictive policies for the profile of potential adoptive families. The laws and regulations for independent international adoption are evolving so do your part to know what's current in the countries where you are considering adoption.
Six Worst Baby Bedding Mistakes Parents Make
New parents often tend to pick up baby bedding items more for their looks than functionality. However, buying the right kind of baby bedding requires more thought. In fact, your baby's safety and comfort may actually depend on it.
Use the following tips to avoid the worst mistakes parents make while buying baby bedding:
DON'T ignore safety
Ensure that the crib you use confirms to the safety standards set by the government. Look for any parts that can be potentially dangerous to your baby, such as sharp corners, flimsy castors, or slats that are too wide apart (not more than 2 .5 inches). While opting for a used crib, ensure that it is not included in the list of recalled crib models.
DON'T use allergy-inducing baby bedding material
Buy only baby bedding items made from materials such as wool, cotton, or baby-friendly synthetic materials that are not known to cause allergies.
DON'T buy soft baby bedding
Make sure that the mattress you buy for your baby is firm - soft baby bedding can suffocate babies and has been identified as being a leading risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
DON'T stuff the crib with cushions
Avoid having too many items in you up the crib with additional cushions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that you should never leave pillows, cushions, or soft items such as toys in the crib, as this considerably increase the risk of SIDS.
DON'T use bumper pads
Many health experts and organizations including the AAP recommend that you should NOT use bumper pads as these are believed to increase the risk of SIDS.
If you decide to use bumper pads, ensure that these are not soft or bulky, and are properly attached to the sides of the crib. Cut off any extra bits of string that may be dangling inside the crib. Once your baby starts sitting up or trying to stand, it may be safer to remove the bumper pads.
DON'T use rubber sheets
Parents often cover the mattress with a rubber sheet to ensure dryness. However, rubber often tends to irritate baby skin. Instead, buy one of those flannel-lined mattress pads that are specially designed for use with baby bedding.
Use the following tips to avoid the worst mistakes parents make while buying baby bedding:
DON'T ignore safety
Ensure that the crib you use confirms to the safety standards set by the government. Look for any parts that can be potentially dangerous to your baby, such as sharp corners, flimsy castors, or slats that are too wide apart (not more than 2 .5 inches). While opting for a used crib, ensure that it is not included in the list of recalled crib models.
DON'T use allergy-inducing baby bedding material
Buy only baby bedding items made from materials such as wool, cotton, or baby-friendly synthetic materials that are not known to cause allergies.
DON'T buy soft baby bedding
Make sure that the mattress you buy for your baby is firm - soft baby bedding can suffocate babies and has been identified as being a leading risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
DON'T stuff the crib with cushions
Avoid having too many items in you up the crib with additional cushions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that you should never leave pillows, cushions, or soft items such as toys in the crib, as this considerably increase the risk of SIDS.
DON'T use bumper pads
Many health experts and organizations including the AAP recommend that you should NOT use bumper pads as these are believed to increase the risk of SIDS.
If you decide to use bumper pads, ensure that these are not soft or bulky, and are properly attached to the sides of the crib. Cut off any extra bits of string that may be dangling inside the crib. Once your baby starts sitting up or trying to stand, it may be safer to remove the bumper pads.
DON'T use rubber sheets
Parents often cover the mattress with a rubber sheet to ensure dryness. However, rubber often tends to irritate baby skin. Instead, buy one of those flannel-lined mattress pads that are specially designed for use with baby bedding.
Dos and Don'ts for a New Babysitter in Your House
Safety/First Aid:
• Make sure that the babysitter knows infant/child CPR and Rescue Breathing.
• Remind the babysitter that infants should definitely not be placed on an adult bed of any kind.
• Remind the babysitter that the baby should be placed on her/his back to sleep.
• Make sure that the babysitter knows the signs of illness in an infant including: changes in skin color, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
• The babysitter must know where the fire extinguishers are kept, and explain how they are used.
• Be sure to show the babysitter where the first aid supplies are kept.
• Remind the babysitter to keep all balloons or plastic items away from the baby.
• Instruct the babysitter that children should never be unsupervised in the bathtub. He/she should take them with him/her if they must answer the telephone or the door bell.
• Remind the babysitter to keep the bathroom door closed, and the toilet seat and lid down when not in use.
Familiarity with your House:
• Before leaving, be sure to give the babysitter a tour of the house.
• Ensure that all windows have been closed, and that the babysitter knows to keep them closed.
• Show the babysitter how to operate your child safety gates, and indicate where they need to be kept.
• Also show the babysitter where the flashlights are located.
• Make sure that you have put away all sharp items including scissors, knives, and any other objects that can cause injury.
• Make sure that the babysitter knows infant/child CPR and Rescue Breathing.
• Remind the babysitter that infants should definitely not be placed on an adult bed of any kind.
• Remind the babysitter that the baby should be placed on her/his back to sleep.
• Make sure that the babysitter knows the signs of illness in an infant including: changes in skin color, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
• The babysitter must know where the fire extinguishers are kept, and explain how they are used.
• Be sure to show the babysitter where the first aid supplies are kept.
• Remind the babysitter to keep all balloons or plastic items away from the baby.
• Instruct the babysitter that children should never be unsupervised in the bathtub. He/she should take them with him/her if they must answer the telephone or the door bell.
• Remind the babysitter to keep the bathroom door closed, and the toilet seat and lid down when not in use.
Familiarity with your House:
• Before leaving, be sure to give the babysitter a tour of the house.
• Ensure that all windows have been closed, and that the babysitter knows to keep them closed.
• Show the babysitter how to operate your child safety gates, and indicate where they need to be kept.
• Also show the babysitter where the flashlights are located.
• Make sure that you have put away all sharp items including scissors, knives, and any other objects that can cause injury.
Adopting an Older Child
Adoption is increasingly becoming an option for many parents. While it is a popular choice for single parents and same-sex couples who want to raise children, many opposite-sex couples are also making an active choice for adoption of older children.
Bringing home an older adopted child for the first time requires care. The first few weeks, especially, are crucial. Your approach during this time will significantly impact the relationship your adopted child will share with his or her new family. Here are some tips to help you:
• Prepare your children in advance: If you already have children, it is important that you talk to them about the new arrival in advance. Prepare them on how they should interact with the adopted child.
• Distribute chores and duties: Participating in household chores and duties will help your adopted child integrate with your family. It will also help prevent any resentment in your children.
• Adapt to your adopted child's needs: Many older children who have been placed in foster care may have a history of neglect or abuse and may be averse to display of intimacy or touch. It is important that you respond sensitively to your adopted child's needs by finding other ways to interact.
• Help your adopted child explain himself to peers: Adopted children are often at a loss to explain their relationship with their foster family to friends and peers. Telling the truth may attract unnecessary attention or even teasing or bullying. Help your adopted child know exactly how much of the truth to reveal.
• Assert your role as parent: Establish your role as the parent right from day one. While this may seem difficult, it is important that you combine love with firmness and lay down rules for your child to follow. This is especially important with older kids.
Your parenting styles are likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.
Bringing home an older adopted child for the first time requires care. The first few weeks, especially, are crucial. Your approach during this time will significantly impact the relationship your adopted child will share with his or her new family. Here are some tips to help you:
• Prepare your children in advance: If you already have children, it is important that you talk to them about the new arrival in advance. Prepare them on how they should interact with the adopted child.
• Distribute chores and duties: Participating in household chores and duties will help your adopted child integrate with your family. It will also help prevent any resentment in your children.
• Adapt to your adopted child's needs: Many older children who have been placed in foster care may have a history of neglect or abuse and may be averse to display of intimacy or touch. It is important that you respond sensitively to your adopted child's needs by finding other ways to interact.
• Help your adopted child explain himself to peers: Adopted children are often at a loss to explain their relationship with their foster family to friends and peers. Telling the truth may attract unnecessary attention or even teasing or bullying. Help your adopted child know exactly how much of the truth to reveal.
• Assert your role as parent: Establish your role as the parent right from day one. While this may seem difficult, it is important that you combine love with firmness and lay down rules for your child to follow. This is especially important with older kids.
Your parenting styles are likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.
ABORTION
There are approximately 46 million abortions worldwide each year, which is about a billion, say, in just the last twenty-five years.
By comparison, each year about 50 million people die.
About 78% of all abortions are obtained in developing countries, and 22% occur in developed countries.
Of the 46 million abortions each year, about 26 million are legal; an additional 20 million are obtained in countries where abortion is restricted or prohibited by law.
Worldwide, the lifetime average is about one abortion per woman.
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Re: A New Jersey fire... - The building was probably made there. lol or at least the walls and stuff.
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